Folding car-step.



No. 731,164. I PATENTED JUNE 16, 1903. T. e. CLIFFORD. FOLDING GAR STEP.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. so, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

I wlllflllllmm ""lll'llllllllllll UNITED STATES Patented June 16, 1903.

PATE T OFFI E.

THOMAS G. CLIFFORD, OF HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY, .ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF- TO WILLIAM ORANSTOUN, OF SUMMIT, NEW JERSEY.

FOLDING CAR-STEP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters IPatent No. 731,164, dated June 16, 1903.

Application filed March 30, 1903. Serial No. 150,189. (No model.)

marked thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, and which said drawings constitute part of this specification, and represent, in

Figure 1, a perspective View of a portion of a car platform and steps with my improved folding step attached thereto and shown in its projected position; Fig. 2, a broken sectional view showing the folding step in its projected position; Fig. 3, a similar view with the step in its closed position.

This invention relates to an improvement in folding car-stepsthat is, a folding step adapted to be projected beyond the lower permanent step of a railway-carthe object of the invention being a simple construction which when not required is entirely out of the way and which may be readily thrown in position for use; and the invention consists in the construction as hereinafter described and particularly recited in the claims.

Depending from the sides 2 3 of a railwaycar step and so as to extend downward from the under side of the lower step lthereof are hangers 5, between which a step 6 is pivoted. The tread of the step is formed integral with or attached to a riser 7, which when the step is in its projected position will rest against a lip S, secured to the under side of the step 4: and against which lip the tread will bear when the step is turned upward, the saidthe riser, and, if required, a latch 10 may be secured to the under face of the tread to engage with a keeper in the under face of the step 4 when the step 6 is raised, and if this latch is not employed the step may be pro vided with a knob or handle by which it may be conveniently turned. Preferably and as herein shown the tread and riser may be formed from a single piece of metal formed with a flange 11, which not only strengthens the parts, but forms a suitable bearing for a rod or pintle 12, upon which the step is hinged. When the car is moving or adjacent to the raised platform,the step 6 will not be required, but when necessary it may be readily turned down and as readily returned to its closed position and in no wise obstructs or interferes with the regular steps of the car.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A folding car-step comprising a tread and a riser pivotally mounted in hangers extending downward from the lower step of a car, a lip depending from the under side of the said lower step against the rear of which the riser rests when the folding step is turned down and against the front face of which the tread may bear when in its closed position, substantially as described.

2. A folding car-step comprising a tread and a riser mounted upon a pivotal rod supported by hangers extending downward beneath the lower step of a car, means for arresting the movement of the said riser, and a weight secured to the rear of said riser, substantially as described.

3. A folding car-step comprising a tread and riser pivotally mounted in hangers depending from a car-step, means for supporting the tread in an extended position and in a plane parallel with the plane of the car-step, said flange and tread formed from a single piece of metal having flanges on opposite ends, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS G. CLIFFORD.

WVitnesses:

I-IEEMANN SCHUMANN, JOHN H. HEINS. 

